To further enhance the production of protease pH and temperature were also optimized. Maximum production was
obtained at 400C and pH 7.5. Most alkaline proteases have been reported to have optimum activity in the range pH
8-9 [14]. Protease activity at 450C was also reported by Shumi et al.2003 [15] while working with the protease of
Fusarium tumidum. Fungal proteases are usually thermo labile and show reduced activities at high temperatures
[16]. Higher temperature is found to have some adverse effects on metabolic activities of microorganism [17] and
cause inhibition of the growth of the fungus. The enzyme is denatured by losing its catalytic properties at high
temperature due to stretching and breaking of weak hydrogen bonds within enzyme structure [18].